Published Sunday, October 11, 2009

Pastor swaps scripture with church member

I think amusing stories have circulated about ministers and members of congregations almost from the time of the first pastor and earliest local church.

To get acquainted, the newest pastor in town was attempting to visit all members of his congregation.

At one house, he thought he heard something inside the house and felt someone was there, but after repeatedly knocking on the door and calling out, no one came to let him in.

He took out one of his calling cards and wrote Revelation 3:20 and stuck it in the door.

Following next Sunday's service, members of the Finance Committee and deacons were in the office counting and processing the offering when they came across the card he had left in the door, which was dropped in the plate and returned to him with the addition of the Bible verse Genesis 3:10. He reached for his Bible to check out the verse from Genesis and started laughing. Revelation 3:20, which he had left in the door, reads: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 says, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

It was one visit that brought out the bare fact of why no one came to the door.